Charity Mission
It is our mission to reach out to young women in need to provide immediate needs, continued guidance and to ensure that they believe it is not your appearance or skin complexion which provides you with an inner strength but rather your knowledge and confidence to tackle the hindrances which you face, and to live a life that means something and to choose to participate rather than be a spectator in life in order to be part of the solution as opposed to the problem.
Make a charitable donation to the Mermaid Sisters of Tampa.
Children's Cancer Center
Mermaid Sisters launched their Mermaid Hair, We Care campaign in March; and selected the local charity Children's Cancer Center. The Children’s Cancer Center is located on West Cypress Street in Tampa. The organization was founded in 1974 and services ALL Children in the Tampa Bay area that are receiving treatment for cancer or chronic blood disorders. This includes Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties and the surrounding areas down to Bradenton.
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While other existing organizations are working to find a cure tomorrow, the Children’s Cancer Center is committed to helping the family cope with the challenges of today. Their philosophy is serious childhood illness affects the entire family and their program not only serves the affected child, but provide for the siblings and parents as well. Their programs fall under three main categories: Financial, Educational and Emotional.
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Following the Mermaid Sisters’ Mission to make a difference and launching our Mermaid Hair, We Care Charity we are proud to set up a fund for their Wig Program for little girls that are battling Cancer.
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We look to further support this organization throughout the year with their awesome signature fundraising events and have offered to host a Girls SAIL-Tea at the Center in August (Date to be confirmed after things normalize with COVD-19 restrictions).
Please visit the Children’s Cancer Center’s website to learn more about this organization.
National Alopecia Areata Foundation
Mermaid Sisters became partners with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation in March, 2020.
Alopecia is an immune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and sometimes other parts of the body. It affects as many as 6.8 million people in the United States alone. It often appears during childhood, but may be different for everyone who has it. There is no cure, however, it is possible for hair to return, but may fall out again.
Mermaid Sisters wanted to "make a difference."and in accordance of our mission, help young girls. We branded our own charity "MERMAID HAIR, WE CARE," which was accepted by the Alopecia Foundation to help support their wig program, providing wigs to young girls from ages 6-18. This program will provide a wig to a young girl who is experiencing financial hardship and would otherwise not be able to have a wig prosthesis.
Mermaid Sisters realized how important it is for a young girl with Alopecia to be able to be like other girls as they progress in their everyday lives and activities. Mermaid Hair, we Care, will provide this opportunity.
Mermaid Sisters annual Fundraising efforts are designated to support this program, the cost of the wigs is $300. Recipients apply through the Alopecia Areata Foundation to qualify to receive a wig at no charge.
Ameila's Journey - Little Mermaid
Amelia is a courageous 8 year old who has fought very high risk leukemia and is the victor! She has been adopted by the Mermaid Sisters and made an Honorary Mermaid Sister, and will forever be our "Little Sister."
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Ameila was able to become a Mermaid for a day, here for a video of her day.
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Belle of the Ball Project
"No girl should be denied the opportunity to attend her high school dance because of her financial difficulties."
Belle of the Ball Project is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization which provides homecoming and prom dresses to in-need, low-income high school girls.
Established in 2003, Belle of the Ball Project mission statement is "no girl should be denied the opportunity to attend her high school dance because of financial difficulties.” Belle of the Ball has given away more than 4,500 quality dresses and countless shoes, purses, and accessories to date.
Girls are referred to us by school guidance counselors, teachers, churches, other non-profit organizations, foster care, the guardian ad litem system, and other civic organizations. We highly respect the honor system and the girl's anonymity.
We have almost 4,000 quality dresses in our inventory. We have shopping days in the fall and spring, arranged around high school homecoming and prom dates. Designated shopping days and times are the ONLY time a teen can receive a dress. Appointments are not necessary nor do we make appointments.
We have no paid employees and are a 100% volunteer organization. Dresses and accessories are donated to us by individuals and businesses.
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Belle of the Ball Recognition
Mermaid Sisters were recognized for their dedication and hard work by Belle of the Ball on March 23, 2019 at the second shopping day for prom gowns this season.
A cake and beautiful dedication poster were presented to the Mermaid Sisters in honor fo our presence and countless hours supporting the Prom and Homecoming work and shopping day over the past 18 months. Mermaid Sisters were also recognized for our 2018 donation of 42,500 to "KEEP THE LIGHTS ON," at the Belle of the Ball facility.
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The dedication was quite unexpected and certainly appreciated. Mermaid Sisters attending were Joni Cusimano, Joanie Greco, Mary Messina, Lorretta Baran Diane Fuller, Ellen Kennedy and Joyce Trigg.
Mermaid Sisters Donates $5,000 to Belle of the Ball
Mermaid Sisters, a Tampa-based charitable/service organization, presented Belle of the Ball with a check for $5,000 towards its "Keep the Lights On" campaign for utilities at the Belle of the Ball Boutique in Clearwater. The event was "Hot Havana Nights" held September 7th, 2019 at Sociedad La Union Marti Maceo in Ybor City. Shown in the picture presenting the award is Joni Cusimano, center, Founder and President of Mermaid Sisters, and Belle of the Ball's Susan Schwartz left CEO and Founder and Joe Marteski, right Chief Operating Officer.
The donation is the largest in Belle of the Ball history.
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